At least 14 people were killed, and 102 were still missing, as a result of a devastating flash flood caused by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday (October 4). Three of the bodies were discovered in north Bengal. In addition, one of the 23 army personnel reported missing earlier in the day has been found. The flood, which began around 1:30 AM, was exacerbated by the release of water from the Chungthang dam, news agency PTI reported citing officials.


Top Points: 



  • Three of the deceased were discovered in north Bengal, while one of the 23 missing army personnel was later found.

  • The flash flood, which began at approximately 1:30 AM, was aggravated by the release of water from the Chungthang dam.

  • Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mahendra Chettri reported, "Five bodies have been recovered from the Golitar and Singtam region." In addition to the 22 army personnel, 47 civilians have gone missing. Fortunately, 166 individuals, including the rescued army member, have been successfully evacuated.

  • According to Defence Spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, the rescued soldier's health condition is stable, PTI reported. 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday to evaluate the state's situation and provide comprehensive support in response to the crisis.

  • The Sikkim government declared the natural disaster a state of calamity through an official notification.

  • The surge in water flow from the Teesta River resulted in extensive damage, including the destruction of bridges, sections of NH-10, and the Chungthang Dam. Multiple small villages, towns, and infrastructure projects in the upper reaches of the river valley were affected, particularly major districts like Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi.

  • The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, expressed his solidarity with the people of Sikkim. The Tibetan spiritual leader, who has hundreds of thousands of followers in the Himalayan state, expressed solidarity in a letter to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.

  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) attributed the primary causes of the flash floods in Sikkim to a combination of excess rainfall and a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event at the South Lhonak lake in north Sikkim. Concerns were raised about the vulnerability of approximately 25 glacial lakes in Sikkim to such events.

    #sikkimflashfloods #SikkimFloods pic.twitter.com/3ehOsoHBn6


    — NDMA India | राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण 🇮🇳 (@ndmaindia) October 4, 2023





Road Blocks Disrupt Travel Across Sikkim Districts: 


Flash floods in Sikkim have caused significant disruptions to transportation networks across various districts in the state. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that several roads are currently blocked, hindering travel and relief efforts.


 



(Image Source: Sikkim Police Control Room)


According to the Sikkim Police Control Room's circular, here is an overview of the road conditions in affected areas:


Gangtok District:



  1. District Court, Gangtok via Tamang Gumpa is currently blocked.

  2. Singtam to 32 No. is clear at 14 Mile.

  3. Singtam to Rangpo is blocked at 19 Mile.

  4. Singtam to Dikchu is blocked.

  5. Singtam to Sang is clear. All other roads in Gangtok District are clear and passable for jeeps.


Pakyong District:



  1. The road from Pakyong to Rorathang is blocked below the airport. An alternative route is available via Nop Gaon-Dughalakha. All other roads in Pakyong District are clear and passable for jeeps.


Mangan District:



  1. The road from Mangan to Dikchu is blocked near Phidang Bridge.

  2. The road from Mangan to Gangtok via Phodong is clear.

  3. The road from Mangan to Chungthang is blocked at Toong Bridge. (Note: Roads above Toong Bridge could not be updated due to communication issues.) All other roads in Mangan District are clear and passable for jeeps.


Namchi District:



  1. The road from Ravangla to Yangang is blocked at Goguney.

  2. The road from Bermiok to Namchi via Phongla is blocked near Vedghari.

  3. The road from Jorethang to Melli is blocked at Thulo Golalmazitar and 10th Mile.

  4. The road from Namchi to Rangpo via Namthang-Mamring is blocked at Narak-Jhora.

  5. The road from Namchi to Singtam via Damthang-Temi is blocked at Gammon Bridge and Indreni Bridge.

  6. The road from Ravangla to Legship is blocked near Tree House.

  7. The road from Namchi to Jorethang via Denchung is clear.

  8. The road from Namchi to Melli via Kitam is clear. All other roads in Namchi District are clear and passable for jeeps.


Gyalshing District: All roads in Gyalshing District are clear and passable for jeeps.


Soreng District: All roads in Soreng District are clear and passable for jeeps.


NH-10 Siliguri:



  1. The road at 19 Mile, near Singtam, is blocked.

  2. The road from Melli, West Bengal, to Siliguri is blocked at 29th Mile.

  3. The road near Likhay Bhir, near Teesta, West Bengal, is blocked.

  4. The road from Melli, Sikkim, to Gangtok is blocked near Melli Bazar, West Bengal.